How does it work?
The Guardian system is a Containerized Aerial Fire Fighting System (CAFFS), which means it is deployed on fires using the well-established Container Delivery System (CDS) procedures from any rear-loading cargo aircraft, with no required aircraft modifications. Once dropped from an aircraft, each Guardian releases its contents below and behind the aircraft in an overlapping pattern, creating an instant and accurate rainstorm. The Guardian has demonstrated the ability to deliver a payload designed for a direct attack or for laying a long, consistent, solid line for retardant. As the only proven and effective CAFFS, the Guardian is an invaluable tool for fighting wildfires around the world.
Simple Ingredients
The Guardian is made of simple ingredients: cardboard, plastic, and water (or any firefighting payload). That being said, this isn’t an average cardboard box. This strong 8-ply corrugated box—armed with a super-duty liner—can hold up to 1,000 liters of any firefighting payload. And because of its simple design, the Guardian contains no metal, pyrotechnics, sharp edges, or seams, making it as safe to drop as possible. The cherry on top: it is 90% biodegradable and 100% recyclable. Just add gravity and you’ve got a firefighting asset on your hands.
Easy Implementation
Some wildfire fighting systems on the market require extensive training or special equipment—not the Guardian. The Guardian uses standard Containerized Delivery System (CDS) procedures, a method that has been in use by many Air Forces for over 60 years. Because our system uses CDS procedures, it is compatible with any rear-loading cargo aircraft (such as C-27J, C-130, and C-17, C-295, CN-235, C-123, CV-22, CH-47, CH-53) with no modifications, therefore taking advantage of aircraft that most countries have readily available. Further, Guardians can be stored flat—ready to go when fire strikes. When the time does come, each Guardian can be quickly assembled, filled, and loaded in minutes.
The easy implementation of the Guardian is exemplified by recent events in South America, where, in 2024, several countries faced severe wildfires. In Colombia, the president even declared a state of emergency as a result of wildfires. Peru—who first adopted the Guardian system in 2019—stepped in to help Colombia by donating a portion of their Guardian stock to the country. Within the week, the Colombian Air Force was able to receive the Guardians from the Peruvian Air Force and use them to fight live fires, using various different aircraft. Later in the year, Peru was again able to provide Guardian CAFFS in emergency situations, this time to Bolivia and Ecuador. Uruguay—another adopter of the Guardian system—assisted with wildfires in Paraguay. Further, in Europe in recent years, Romania—an early adapter of the Guardian system—has helped several other nations in times of crisis with use of the Guardian CAFFS. The Guardian CAFFS is an elegantly simple design, cross-platform, and uses existing air-drop protocols and training.
Safer Firefighting
Thick smoke that limits visibility, high winds that mandate careful maneuvering, and difficult terrain that complicates navigation all contribute to making wildfire fighting a challenging—and often unsafe—task. Additionally, Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs) that must fly near the treeline in order to drop their payload make it particularly challenging. However, the Guardian allows for safer wildfire fighting because it fights fires from well above the treeline—500 feet or higher. Additionally, because of the hazardous conditions engendered by wildfires, traditional wildfire fighting methods typically cannot operate at night. On the other hand, the Guardian can take back the night, fighting fires 24-hours-a-day.
Safer Firefighting
Thick smoke that limits visibility, high winds that mandate careful maneuvering, and difficult terrain that complicates navigation all contribute to making wildfire fighting a challenging—and often unsafe—task. Additionally, Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs) that must fly near the treeline in order to drop their payload make it particularly challenging. However, the Guardian allows for safer wildfire fighting because it fights fires from well above the treeline—500 feet or higher. Additionally, because of the hazardous conditions engendered by wildfires, traditional wildfire fighting methods typically cannot operate at night. On the other hand, the Guardian can take back the night, fighting fires 24-hours-a-day.
Proven Results
The Guardian is the only proven and effective CAFFS, and it has been fighting fires around the world since 2015. Having been used to fight wildfires—day and night—in a dozen countries, there is no doubt that the Guardian is a valuable addition to the available arsenal for this increasing problem globally.
Map of Guardian System deployed globally with type of aircraft used without modification:
Guardian Certifications
- Dec 2010 US Patent US7845595B2 awarded for Guardian
- Sep 2013: NGAUS Resolution ANG #37 passed
- Dec 2013: Certified by Leonardo (formerly, Alenia Aermacchi) for drop from C-27J Spartan
- Jul 2014: Inclusion as critical capability in 2015 (US) ANG Domestic Capabilities Priority book
- Mar 2015: passed without exception, railcar G-force impact tests Nevada. (Mil Standard 1791)
- Apr 2015: USAF and ATTLA approval of MIL Std 1791 test (G-Force tests); Guardian now approved for Operational Evaluation aboard US DoD aircraft
- Jul 2015: Inclusion as critical capability in (US) ANG Domestic Capabilities Priority book
- Jul 2015: Certified by Italian AF and Italian Civil Protection (Forest Service) for aerial delivery using standard CDS procedures from the C-27J Spartan and the C-130J Super Hercules
- Aug 2015 Service Disabled Veteran-Owned, Small Business (SDVOSB) certification received
- Aug 2015: GSA certification received: GS-07F-05CA. GSA Schedule 84 (Fire and Flood response systems) awarded.
- Sep 2015: NGAUS Resolution ANG #37 broadened and strengthened
- August 2019: USAF, HQ Air Mobility Command (AMC) Project 11-001-17, Guardian Containerized Aerial Fire Fighting System Operational Utility Evaluation Final Report: “test was focused on Guardian CAFFS operational effectiveness and suitability as CDS” “all test measure(s) passed the evaluation criteria”.